In a twist worthy of a political thriller, the Nigerian government has named a woman long declared wanted by the police, Sandra Duru—popularly known as Prof Mgbeke—as a key witness in its ongoing legal offensive against suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Documents exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday confirm that Duru, who fled Nigeria after a court issued a warrant for her arrest in 2016, has been listed as the fourth witness in a six-man lineup expected to testify against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in a criminal defamation case filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The development has sparked outrage and raised serious ethical and legal questions. According to court records, Duru has an active arrest warrant over multiple criminal charges, including obtaining money under false pretenses and issuing death threats.
Duru’s Dark Legal History
A Lagos State Magistrate Court issued a warrant for Duru’s arrest in 2017 after she failed to appear in court while on recognisance. The warrant read:
> “Warrant to arrest a person failing to appear pursuant to recognisance… Whereas Sandra Duru of 19A Community Road, off Allen, Ikeja, Lagos State is bound by recognisance to appear before the court on the 31st of July, 2017, but has failed to do so. You are hereby commanded to arrest the said Sandra Duru and bring her before me at Chief Magistrate Court 1, Tinubu.”
Another document dated January 12, 2016, detailed Duru’s charges in a case filed by the Commissioner of Police at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The three-count charge included:
Count I: Felony for obtaining ₦10 million under false pretenses from one Mrs. Edith Adefunke Edidot.
Count II: Fraudulently receiving the said ₦10 million knowing the claims were false.
Count III: Threatening to kill Mrs. Edidot within seven days and vowing to assassinate her character via a series of intimidating text messages.
The alleged offences fall under Sections 311, 312(1)(a)(2), and 230 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011—charges that remain unresolved.
A high-ranking source familiar with the case expressed dismay over the government’s decision to rely on someone still classified as a fugitive.
> “The woman listed as number four on the witness list was declared wanted and fled the country. There’s an active warrant for her arrest. Yet now, she’s being called as a key witness in a case against someone else. It raises serious questions,” the source told SaharaReporters.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended by the Nigerian Senate in March for allegedly violating its standing rules, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating a campaign of political and personal vendetta against her. Among the most explosive of her claims is that Akpabio, alongside former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, conspired to assassinate her.
The drama surrounding the case took another alarming turn with the arrest of Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, a whistleblower and media activist who alleged that Duru had paid him ₦2.5 million to produce defamatory videos targeting Senator Natasha. Akuwudike’s family has cried out over his continued detention and isolation more than three weeks after his arrest, allegedly on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Akuwudike, in a viral interview before his arrest, admitted receiving funds from Duru but claimed he backed out upon discovering what he described as a “coordinated smear campaign” against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
> “After that livestream and other revelations, I began to uncover the truth. Everything she said about Natasha was fabricated lies,” he stated.
He further alleged that Duru was working under the instructions—and financial backing—of Senate President Akpabio, a claim that adds a deeper layer of political intrigue to the already murky case.
Government’s Case Against Natasha
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has now formally initiated criminal defamation proceedings against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, naming Natasha as the sole defendant.
Despite her suspension and the mounting legal pressure, Natasha has maintained her stance, insisting that her allegations are true and based on firsthand experiences. Her legal team has yet to respond to the revelation about Duru’s inclusion as a witness.
The government’s reliance on a fugitive witness facing unresolved criminal charges has intensified public scrutiny and triggered fresh debates over due process, selective justice, and political persecution in Nigeria’s legal system.
For many, the question remains: How can a woman declared wanted and branded a fraudster suddenly become a credible witness for the state? As this political and legal spectacle unfolds, one thing is clear—the Natasha-Duru-Akpabio saga is far from over.
PIONEER NEWS 